BONNYVILLE – Students arriving at Bonnyville Centralized High School (BCHS) first thing in the morning on Thursday, April 7, were directed by school staff to secure areas of the school. An online threat stating an explosive device would be brought to the school, had allegedly been made.
That morning, RCMP officers were dispatched to the high school after being informed of the threat, RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff told Lakeland Today.
“It was a vague threat made on social media by a student. The social media post included a photo of ammunition and a threat to bring an explosive device to the school,” explained Savinkoff.
On Tuesday, Northern Lights Public Schools acknowledged the Thursday morning incident at BCHS.
“Just prior to the start of the school day, school administration was informed of a threat that had been made on social media involving the school,” wrote Nicole Garner, the communications officer for the school board.
“The RCMP were called, and the school was put in a hold and secure. As this was the beginning of the school day, most students had not yet arrived.”
As students arrived at school, they were directed to go to two secure areas of the school as a safety measure, explained Garner.
“Once RCMP and school administration determined there was no longer a threat to the safety of students and staff, everyone was allowed to re-enter the school and classes resumed as scheduled,” she added.
No charges are anticipated to be laid against the youth, said Savinkoff.
“Whether any disciplinary actions are to be taken, they will likely be carried out at the school level as it is now a school matter,” he commented.
